The artwork titled “Female from back (black woman)” was crafted by the artist Georges Seurat between 1880 and 1881 in France. This piece, executed in crayon on paper, belongs to the Impressionism movement and is classified as a sketch and study. Its dimensions are modest, measuring 16 by 10.5 centimeters. Presently, this piece is housed in the Musée Picasso, located in Paris, France.
The artwork depicts the back view of an African woman. Seurat’s technique involves a chiaroscuro approach, using shadow and light to suggest form and dimension without detailed delineation. The figure is positioned off-center on the paper, angled in such a way that it invites the viewer’s eye to follow the curve of her back. The sketch is evocative due to its loose, gestural lines that convey a sense of movement and the living form. This modest piece, despite its size, encapsulates the impressionistic endeavor to capture a fleeting moment with immediacy and emotional resonance. The artist’s signature is also discernible within the composition, lending personal affirmation to the study.
